Samuel g



S. G. B. GOOK.

CURTAIN 00m) TIGHTENER.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 6, 1881.-

Attics-nay.

N. PETERS. Plvomiflhogmphur, Washington. D, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL G. B. COOK, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CURTAIN-CORD TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,659, dated September 6, 1881, Application filed February 3, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL G. B. 000K, of Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Cord Tighteners; and I hereby declare the same to be fully, clearly, and exactly described as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a central vertical sectional view, of a device embodying my present invention.

The invention relates to that class of devices consisting, essentially, of a frame or casing and a roller adapted to receive the curtain-cord, and made vertically adjustable within the frame to alter the tension of the cord as may be desired; and it has for its object to simplify and oheapen the construction of the device and lessen the labor of putting the parts together, while in no wise impairing its durability or efficiency.

In the drawings,Ais the main frame,which is by preference cast, but which may also be struck up from sheet metal by suitable dies. It has a central slot provided with a ratchet, B, of the usual construction, and end flanges, having perforations a for the securing-screws.

At the upper end of the slot is a lug, c, which prevents the accidental withdrawal of the block 0 from the slot. This block has inwardly-projecting lugs t' i at either end, which travel in the slot, and the upper end has a lip, b, that engages with the ratchet. A concavit-y, c, is formed on the block to receive the cord; or in lieu of the same a roller may be mounted on the central portion of the block. The concavity is, however, preferred, as it answers every end and simplifies the construction of the device.

D is a pin,ha-ving an enlarged head,f, which projects beyond the face of the block 0, and on its inner end is riveted a plate, 0-, that rests on the inner side of the ratchet-flange, as shown. A spiral spring, f, is coiled around the pin D, within the block 0, and has its bearings between a shoulder, f, on the inside of the block and the head of the pin. The block 0 and frame A are made of castiron, and are bronzed, japanned, or lacquered. The pin D is an ordinary malleable or wrought iron rivet, and the spring f a coil of light brass wire, all of the parts being of such material and shape as to be made at the minimum cost. To put them together the pin is thrust through the spring, which is placed within the block 0, and the plate I) is secured to the end of the pin by riveting. Upon holding the front flange of the block between the fore and middle fingers and (lepressing'the head of the pin by the thumb the plate I) is carried far enough from the block to enable it to be inserted at the top of the casing or frame A and under the lugs 0, so as to bring the block to the position shown in Fig. 2, when it is ready to receive the curtain-cord. To tighten the same it is only necessary to depress the block. On releasing it the spring j" causes the lip to engage with the ratchet and hold it fast. To loosen the cord the pin is depressed and the block carried far enough from the frame A to enable its lip to clear the ratchet, when it may be lifted to the desired position.

Should thespring break or become weak the block may readily be removed to renew the spring by lifting it clear of the slot at the top of the frame. It is notliable, however, to slip out accidentally, as the lugs c engage with the plate 1), unless the pin D is depressed to the extreme limit.

What I claim is-- 1. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the ratcheted frame with the block O, spring f, plate I), and pin having projecting head.

2. In combination with the ratcheted frame, the block having lugs t and shoulder f, and the pin D, spring f, and plate b, as set forth.

3. In combination with the casingA,having ratchet and lugs c, the block 0, having concavity c, lugs a", pin D, plate I), and spring f, as set forth.

SAML. G. B. COOK.

Witnesses J. (J. GITTINGER, J NO. '1. MADDOX. 

